Suspect accused of using baby as human shield

A Houston dad is behind bars, accused of using his 7-month-old daughter as a shield to evade arrest Tuesday, according to the Harris County District Attorney’s Office.

Christopher Odell Tate Jr., 28, is behind held at the Harris County Jail under a $15,000 bond and faces charges of endangering a child and evading arrest, police said.

Houston police tried to pull Tate over for not wearing a seat belt, and he sped up and drove into a Food Town parking lot, where he and three passengers that included the 7-month-old baby got out of the vehicle, KPRC-TV reported.

Police said he reached out and grabbed his 7-month old child to shield himself.

Police said Tate then took off on foot, leading officers on a chase around the parking lot while still holding his child.

“The officers continued to chase him, and were finally able to stop him and had to actually pry the child from his arms,” said prosecutor Katie Davis.

Officials said the child is okay.

Tate has a criminal record dating to 2001 that includes convictions for forgery, theft, evading arrest with a motor vehicle, possession of a controlled substance, unlawfully carrying a weapon, assault on a family member, driving with a suspended license and possession of marijuana, court records show.